The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-01
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

in Russia 255.000 persons are en-
gagged In the tobacco industry.
The petroleum refners of the
United States consume about nine mil
hon pounds of sulphuric acid per
month.
The art of paper making has
reached point where a growing tree
may be cut down. made into paper, and
turned out as newspaper, all within
thirtv-six hours.
| The curious fact that acute rheu-
matism is less prevalent in rainy
weather than in dry weather, has been
observed by several European physi-
clans who make Il specially of treating
rheumatic disease.
The amount of force exerted by
heat and cold in expansion and con-
traction of metal is equal to that which
would be required to stretch or COM
press it to the same extent by mechanic
al means.-Boston Budget.
DIR. Murray, of the Royal Society
Of Edinburgh, estimates the mean
height of the land of the globe to be
between 1000 and 2,100 feet. the latter
limit being probably the more nearly
correct Humboldt's estimate of the
mean height of the continents was
1000 feet.
"A new species of water-plant, which
grows on the back of the living water
tortoise, has been described by Mr.. NJ.
c. Potter, of the Linnean Society of
London. 1.-The plant enters the cracks
Of the tortoise shell, penetrating per-
pendicularly and horizo ntally to the
plates, imbibes the water from outside.
but does not derive nourishment from
the animal juices. IN. Y Ledger.
"A new British industry is the prep
aration of basic Stag for agricultural
manure. The material is pulverized
by machinery to such an extent that
the finished product will pass through
sieve of 10000 holes to the square
inch. The fertilizing properties of this
Stag are due to the large proportion of
iron and phosphoric acid which it con-
tains.
The subject of premature badness
is one in which vast number of per-
sons take direct and lively interest.
According TO the Lancet, there is little
doubt that such badness is increasing,
and it is difficult to give any satisfac-
tory scientific explanation of the fact.
That journal does not attribute much
Importance to the suggestion that tight
hats are injurious, but it declares that
harm may be done in time by washing
the head every morning. and neglect
ing to replace the oily material thus re-
moved.-M z. Ledger.
Mrs. Croly, better known as
Jennie June" is president of the
Women's Endowment Cattle Company.
lately incorporated under the laws of
New Jersey. Tho capital stock is
81. 5OO,O 900. divided into 5000 shares of
$500 each. Every share represents a
certain number of cattle, which are to
lie kept breeding for six years, and
proportionate interest in ranch prop
critics. The company controls about
2.OOO,OOO acres OF pasture land In New
Mexico. and has 5000 head of cattle on
its ranch. 1t is designed rs an endow-
meat investment for children.-Pu6lic
Opinion.
The discovery of new gas is a
rare and important event to chem
lists. Such discovery has been an
nounced in Germany by DR.. Theodore
Curtius, who has succeeded in prepar-
ing the long-sought hydride of nitro
gen. amidogen, diamide or hydrazine.
as it is variously called. This remark
able body, which has hitherto baffled
all attempts at isolation, is now shown
to be a gas, perfectly stable up to very
high temperature, of peculiar odOr.
differing from that of ammonia, exceed
ingly soluble in water. and of basic
properties. In composition it is nearly
identicaI with ammonia, both being
compounds of nitrogen and hydrogen.
Public Opinion.